Llandudno to Penmaenmawr – Weightless Wanderings

Well, I left the rucksack in the Travelodge as I was returning by train tonight. So it was without additional weight. And I wandered across sands, exposed by the tide. So weightless wanderings is reasonably accurate.

But to begin I wandered across the road from the hotel to a Wetherspoons, who do good quality full English breakfasts with unlimited tea and coffee at a reasonable price. Long may they continue to thrive. But not at the expense of traditional independent pubs.

Sated I started my trek, heading towards the pier. What a pleasant, chilly, but not freezing, morning. With great views.

It’s a nice resort. Not one that I’d choose over Seville but certainly better than Rhyl or Scarborough.

I’ve used four ‘buts’. It’s excessive so but is hereby banned for the duration of this post.

The Little Orme headland was languishing out east.

Whilst the Great Orme, forming a formidable headland west of Llandudno, was my target for this morning. There is a four mile coastal walk around Great Orme, which forms part of the Wales Coastal Path, bringing me from North Llandudno to West Llandudno. And it’s beset by wild goats. This one was ready to have a go but I bravely ran away. Sorry about the but, but running away was better than getting a butt in the butt.

The road looped round the cliffs, with great views over the sea. And no cars were using it.

An inaccessible beach proved to be a great hideaway for camouflaged seals.

The western side of the headland provided more great views of

Anglesey

Snowdonia

The Conwy estuary

As I reached the estuary the tide was fully out and just on the turn. I couldn’t remember, from previous visits to North Wales, if the river was shallow enough to ford at low tide. So I set off across the sands.

And eventually I found my answer. It might be hidden but it’s big and deep. So I legged it back to the shore as the tide tends to come in quite quickly here.

Up the river towards Conwy it was even bigger and deeper, looking towards the road bridge and the castle.

A seagull was dancing joyously.

The castle is quite spectacular, and lends a sombre presence to a cold winter’s day.

Sometimes I blow up photos of old buildings to see if there are any spooky presences at the windows. At one ancient, locked and abandoned chapel in France, miles from the nearest road, I thought I was being watched. And I was! A manic and sinister smile.

Conwy is a lovely little town. With the smallest house in the UK!

It’s wonderfully picturesque.

Although it’s still a traffic hotspot despite the A55 tunnel by-pass.

The far side of Conwy I desperately needed to go to the toilet. Then, thank the Lord, round the next corner was a posh golf club. And here was I in my shorts and sand covered walking boots.

I wasn’t in a mood to ask. I needed the khazi, so I strode past the receptionist with a confident air, and followed the signs.

I didn’t have time to find the Gents, so I went into the disabled toilet and locked the door quickly to avoid eviction. The relief was greater than Mafeking.

I thanked the previous captains of the club on the way out.

The remaining six miles down the coast were all roadside and noisy. Although the views across the bay back towards Great Orme were lovely.

As the light faded I made it to Penmaenmawr and took a last shot of the coast before taking the train back to Llandudno. Anglesey and Puffin Island disappearing into the dark.

I’m tired now. I need some sleep. The bags under my eyes are heavy. It’s cold outside, and physically demanding as a consequence. My room’s quite cold too.

My knees were creaky today from yesterday’s walk and I pushed them hard this afternoon. A cyclist riding past me said that I was making a fast pace. None of his business, the lardy lump in lycra.

Why am I not nicer? It doesn’t cost anything and it makes you feel decent and worthwhile.

It’s 21.21. I can get a really good night’s kip, wake up feeling like an Olympian and catch the train to Penmaenmawr early tomorrow. The Blades are on BBC1 Wales tomorrow night playing Cardiff in the FA Cup, and before that I’m ringing my darling Maggie so I need to get down to Caernarfon quick like. That’s what’s occurring.

Night night.